News

USD Launches Strategic Planning Process for 2012-2017

VERMILLION, S.D. -- The University of South Dakota is developing a Strategic Plan to guide the institution in establishing goals and laying the groundwork that will define the future of South Dakota's flagship university. The current Strategic Plan, “Building an Extraordinary University: The University of South Dakota Strategic Plan 2007-2012,” draws to a close next year.

A 28-person committee has been formed, led by co-chairs Emily Haddad, Ph.D., associate dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, and Michael Lawler, Ph.D., dean of the School of Health Sciences. Committee members are drawn from the diverse areas of the university community, representing faculty, staff and students.

Announcing the formation of the Strategic Planning Committee in his State of the University address, President James W. Abbott said that the top priority of the planning process would be “to identify strategies to foster the long-term success of USD.” Future success, he said, could capitalize on recent positive developments such as the record size of the entering class of Honors students, USD’s designation by the Carnegie Foundation as a Research University with “high research activity,” and the university’s reaccreditation by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

The committee will host information-gathering sessions across campus during the next several months. Input received will be reviewed, drafted into goals and strategies, and then sent with recommendations to President Abbott and the university’s Executive Committee. All members of the campus community are encouraged to participate in the process.

Updates on the Strategic Planning process will be provided by the committee through direct communications to the university, including emails to faculty, staff and students, and posted on USD’s website and MyU portal. For more information or questions about the process, please contact the Office of Academic Affairs at (605) 677-6497

ABOUT USD

Founded in 1862 and the first university in the Dakotas, the University of South Dakota is the only public liberal arts university in the state, with 205 undergraduate and 73 graduate programs in the College of Arts & Sciences, School of Education, School of Law, Sanford School of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Beacom School of Business and College of Fine Arts. With an enrollment of nearly 10,000 students and more than 400 faculty, USD has a 17:1 student/faculty ratio, and it ranks among the best in academics and affordability. USD’s 17 athletic programs compete at the NCAA Division I level.

This material is available in an alternate format upon request. Please contact University Relations at 605-677-5759. If you are a person with a disability and need a special accommodation to fully participate in any university activity or event, please contact Disability Services at 605-677-6389 as soon as possible, but no later than 48 hours before the event, so that appropriate arrangements may be made.